Growing Up Gotti

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Growing Up Gotti
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GenreReality television
StarringVictoria Gotti
Frank Agnello
Carmine Agnello, Jr
John Agnello
Opening theme"These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" by Lil' Kim
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes41
Production
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesRegan Media
GRB Productions
Wild Bill Productions
Original release
NetworkA&E
ReleaseAugust 2, 2004 (2004-08-02) –
December 5, 2005 (2005-12-05)

Growing Up Gotti is an American reality television series that aired on A&E. It featured the life of Victoria Gotti, daughter of Mafia boss John Gotti, and her three sons; Frank Gotti Agnello, John Gotti Agnello Jr., and Carmine Gotti Agnello. The production of the pilot episode was announced in January 2004 with the show being picked up several months later.[1][2] A&E canceled Growing Up Gotti after three seasons. In 2014, the network aired an anniversary special Growing Up Gotti: Ten Years Later.

Episodes[edit]

Season Episodes Originally aired
Season premiere Season finale
1 13 August 2, 2004 (2004-08-02) December 22, 2004 (2004-12-22)
2 15 January 10, 2005 (2005-01-10) August 2, 2005 (2005-08-02)
3 13 August 22, 2005 (2005-08-22) December 5, 2005 (2005-12-05)

Reception[edit]

Shirleen Holt of Film.com said that "Victoria Gotti has the warmth of an ice pick and her sons the charm of, well, thugs."[3] Robert Hofler, reviewing the show for Variety, said that the show is too much controlled and focused on Victoria Gotti who also acts as an executive producer, and added, "A&E has the potential for a sleeper hit with its new reality TV show [...] but they clearly muffed the title. "Mommy as Monster" is closer to the target."[4] Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times said that the show is "a one-joke novelty item, but it is at times quite funny and Ms. Gotti is an oddly compelling figure.".[5] Genovese Crime Family Soldier Ciro Perrone and Ralph Scopo were recorded on tape criticizing the show, with Perrone commenting "It's a soap opera, and the kids look like girls.".

Reunion[edit]

On November 10, 2014, the network aired a one-hour anniversary special entitled Growing Up Gotti: Ten Years Later. The special featured Victoria Gotti and her three sons who reunited to talk about the highlights of their family reality series. Growing up Gotti: 10 Years Later was produced by Left/Right.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Development Update: March 24". The Futon Critic. March 24, 2004. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  2. ^ "Development Update: January 22". The Futon Critic. January 22, 2004. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  3. ^ Holt, Shirleen (July 18, 2008). "And the Amy Award Goes To…". Film.com. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  4. ^ Hofler, Robert (August 1, 2004). "Review: 'Growing Up Gotti'". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  5. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (August 2, 2004). "Television Review; John Gotti's Daughter Glares at Reality". The New York Times. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  6. ^ Morabito, Andrea (October 24, 2014). "First trailer for 'Growing Up Gotti' reunion special drops". New York Post. News Corp. Retrieved September 13, 2015.

External links[edit]